TheRaceForGrace.com

Race for Grace 3rd Annual Charity Softball Game

When: Saturday June 20, 2009 ~ 10 AM
Where: Chariho High School, Switch Road, Wood River Jct., RI

See the Ashaway Fire Department try for a major comeback after being slaughtered (sorry guys) by the Hopkinton Police Department two years in a row!! These guys play for Grace. They play with their hearts and souls in an effort to “make a difference” in Grace’s lives and the lives of girls suffering from Rett Syndrome. Please come and join us and see David throw the first pitch. Grace and the rest of the Reddingtons will be there cheering on the guys (she has no favorite team ~ she loves them all!!)
Music, food and refreshments
It’s another wonderful day to celebrate Grace. Hope to see you there.
Bring your friends and family for a fun time.

THANK YOU FOR THE BEST DAY!!!
Today was truly amazing!!
Grace is still clearly doing “God’s work” ~ David
Race for Grace 2009 as of this point raised $90,000!!! There are still some donations coming and events planned that have not taken place yet. We will definitely clear $100,000 AGAIN.
God Bless you and GRACE each day.
Lots of Love from Grace and Reddington Family

Hello Golfers for Grace!!
Although we are in the midst of Race for Grace planning, but I wanted to send out this information about a charity golf tournament that will benefit Grace and Race for Grace on Monday June 1st, 2009. The Oil and Heat Institute of RI has chosen Grace Reddington as the recipient of this year’s charity golf tournament.
There will be two charity holes to benefit IRSF. Our family will be there with Grace for the dinner. If anyone is interested…the link is below.
Thanks and hope to see you all on Saturday for the big….
RACE FOR GRACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tara

The 13th Annual OHI Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2009 and will be held at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln, RI.

Hi there Friends of Grace!
Just an exciting reminder that we beginning the 10 day countdown to Race for Grace 2009. We are all so excited here and can’t wait for the day to arrive (although we do need every moment of the next 10 days for final preparations).
Now is the time to give a final push and beg, scrape and scrounge up those last minute donations ~ 10 for 10 friends, small businesses, etc. It’s never too late to rally supporters, participants and donations for the Race for Grace.
My house is a mess, kids are neglected, can’t see my basement steps because there is laundry all over them… We spent a long day in Boston for Grace’s appointments yesterday and life is completely crazy, but we’re ready (or at least we will be ready in 10 days!!). It was an important time to go to Boston, though. With all the excitement of Race for Grace and the fun we have planning it, it is a reminder of why we are working so hard. Grace continues to progress through this awful disease with no treatment and no cure. She has gotten weaker and lost weight, is still having seizures and the reality is, she will continue to develop new “issues” and endure tests and medication trials to make things better but never fix anything. Her life is riddled with suffering but somehow she continues to smile. It’s AMAZING. I am going to attempt to remain peaceful, thankful, and hopeful that Race for Grace 2009 will be another day jam-packed with love, faith and fellowship. Please join me in my prayers for a Grace-filled day.
We will be setting up on Thursday and Friday next week if there are any last minute drop offs or raffle/auction items.
We still need a good enthusiastic crew for “take down” and clean up. We will be running the event from 9am until approx. 12:30 pm when music will end and announcements of winners, etc. will begin. Our goal is to begin clean up at 1pm this year…an hour earlier than past years.
We’ve had INCREDIBLE support this year from so many corners of RI and beyond. There are so many many stories of people, businesses and children that have been “zapped” by Grace and have gone to great lengths to raise funds and awareness and basically to let Grace seep into their hearts. It’s so healing for me and my family to be at the receiving end of all the stories and inspirational efforts surrounding us and Grace.
Thank you for forwarding these “Friends of Grace” emails to your own “friends” and pushing hard to make this event another huge success. It is only through the ever-widening circle of Grace that we can create such a powerful experience for us all and we are giving Grace a full and purpose-driven life by acknowledging the gifts she gives us.
God Bless you and GRACE and see you in 10 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Tara

Hi there!
Tomorrow is May 1st!! I’m just finding that out now. We are on the final stretch for Race for Grace. Food donations are coming through. Thank you to everyone for responding to my desperate plea in the last email. I think Grace knows that you are all out there working for her big day because, although delicate and a bit tired, she’s smiley and content these days.
We are still collecting donations for silent auction (items valued at $100 or more). Please let donors know that they are welcome to display business info., small banner (if provided) and business cards at the Race for Grace. Larger donors will get a live “shout out” by the MC at the event. Corporate and business sponsorships over $500 will need to be received before May 10th in order to get company name/logo on the t-shirts.
I always go through a phase of “oh no!!” before the race and then the people around me reassure me that it will all work out and it will. It always does when Grace is involved.
The Narragansett Little League dedicated their season to Grace Reddington last Saturday, who led the parade and Meg threw out the first pitch (right into the glove I might add) IT was an amazing morning. Thank you to NLL!! There’s a lot of buzzing going on in our community. Another busy but wonderful time of year for me and my family.
We are hoping to get an official crew of volunteers this year for “take down” duty. Usually it is a small crew at the end of the day breaking things down and cleaning up. It would be so helpful if we had an official team for that this year. Please let me know if you are available and I will forward your names to Russell Tellier, the project manager, MC, traffic and logistics coordinator of the event (no pressure, Russ).
We will be setting up at St. Veronica on Thursday (5/21) and Friday (5/22) so if there are any last minute auction items or drop offs, please feel free to bring them then. We cannot accept donations on the day of the race. Well, we can but we can’t use them
I think I’m sounding more positive and less desperate than the last email and that is mainly because once again, Friends of Grace have rallied to hold us up and keep us going!
So, Race for Grace everyone. I’ll keep you posted. Thank you so much for all the work work work. It’s going to be a phenomenal day.
*Don’t forget about the Rosary for Grace at 8pm (on Race for Grace night ~ May 23) at St. Veronica Chapel. We have beautiful white bags that have been decorated by children for Grace. The bags will be light up with candles in the shape of a rosary and the prayers will be led by Fr. Taillon of St. Thomas More Parish/St. Veronica Chapel. It really will be a beautiful way to give thanks and end the day. I hope you can muster up some energy to come back for this prayerful evening. You will walk away filled with GRACE.
God Bless Grace and YOU TOO!!!!!!
Love,
Tara

Hi Everyone!
We’re down to the final month until the 3rd Anuual Race for Grace (31 days exactly).
So many of you have taken it upon yourselves to launch an enthusiastic and successful “10 for 10″ campaign. The awareness of Rett Syndrome has really grown. There are so many people who know what Rett Syndrome is and are committed to helping find the cure now more than ever.
I do believe strongly that the Race for Grace will once again be a day that is overflowing with generosity and love.
Every year I get concerned that we will not have “enough” (food/drink) for everyone but I continue to have faith that it will be a day similar to the gospel about the “loaves and the fish” where the multitudes were fed and there was plenty left over.
That being said, I still have to do my part and collect some loaves and fish on my own. If there is anyone who can seek out food donations (fruit, sport drinks, dry snacks, etc.) I would really be so grateful. We still have time for businesses to secure a spot on the very popular Race for Grace t-shirts. Corporate donations will be recognized at the event with live “shout outs” banner displays (if provided) and company name/logo on the t-shirt. Also, free web advertising on the Race for Grace website.
Race for Grace has always had a feeling of abundance: abundance of food, faith and love. I hope to continue to see the abundance of all those things and more. It’s been an extremely busy year for David and I (actually an extremely busy 3 years!) and we rely on your help to secure donations of food, auction items and corporate sponsorships. As much as I do not want to do this Race for Grace event year after year, if you lived with Grace, you would realize why we have to do it. This is a progressive disease that doesn’t stop attacking Grace so I can’t stop fighting back either.
If any of you can help us out in any way, please contact me as soon as possible. Everything is tax deductible (goods and cash). All proceeds go directly to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation and as usual, if you participate in the Race for Grace,you get to walk away knowing you were part of something wonderful and that feeling is FREE!!!
Hope to see you and many many of your friends and family in a month at the Race for Grace.
I’ll be in touch and keep you posted. This is the final push. Please push along with me.
Thanks and God Bless,
Tara

Dear Friends of Grace,
It’s been a while since I’ve written and I’m finally ready to give an update. I’ll start by saying March was an extremely difficult month for Grace and our family. She experienced severe exhaustion (mainly from night seizures) which caused tremors, instability, and a general shut down and collapse of her energy and strength.
There was a point last month where I wasn’t even sure if Grace would live to see the month of April. I can say that now because she has shown a steady improvement over the past 2 weeks and it has been a blessing. When you hold your breath and think you know what your witnessing and prepare yourself and your family for something like Grace going home to heaven, it becomes easier to talk about now that things have gotten better. I also can’t help but think of all the people in our church and beyond who heard that Grace wasn’t doing well and spent more time on their knees and in prayer on her behalf. I do believe that God heard those prayers and that is why she is still here.
The fact that I have made peace with letting her go and David and my children have also made peace with it, makes her presence here even more significant and beautiful. David says there are people that she hasn’t reached yet and I have no doubt now that he is right. Grace’s life and story and how she inspires people continues to surprise me on a daily basis.
One week from today, David’s grandfather, at 93 years old, died in David’s arms. The last three words he heard on this earth were David’s words saying, “I love you” as they looked into each other’s eyes just before he died. David told me it was the greatest gift that he could have given his grandfather. As a family, we all celebrated his funeral mass and burial on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and a reason to celebrate. “Big Papa” as he was called by his fifteen great grandchildren (and one little great great grandson) was someone to celebrate. From 2 daughters, he created a strong, prosperous family and we all were able to enjoy his life and legacy. May he rest in peace.
Two days ago, on Monday, I had the amazing privilege of witnessing child birth. My beautiful friend, Liz, who I met through the Race for Grace asked me to support her in labor and help her with a natural delivery. I was overwhelmed at that thought that I might actually see a baby born and what a incredible gift Liz gave me on Monday (at 2:47 pm) to see the miracle of life that never gets old. David stood by me for all five of my children’s natural births and he said it was amazing every time. He’s right. To see a woman give all her strength and all her emotions and all her body to her tiny child who is just coming into the world was the most beautiful experience. God bless Jacob David and keep him always close.
In one month’s time, I have experienced a broad range of emotions and experiences and some profoundly simple events: life and death. They have shaped me, taught me, strengthened me and reminded me how delicate life is and that we are all together in the fragile existence of life. A woman in my neighborhood was at work one day and making chemotherapy appointments the next day. People come into the world and they go out of the world. Every life has a purpose. Every encounter leads to another. Our lives are not meaningless and random, nor are they meant for our own enjoyments. We are here to give back. We are here to grow and help others grow. I have certainly done a lot of growing over the past month and my hope is that I continue to grow and learn and never think I’m done learning what God wants of me.
I thought I knew what God’s plan was last month but how foolish of me! No one could ever know what God’s plan is and thank goodness for that, because I have no doubt that we would mess it up.
Race for Grace is in 6 short weeks!! I can’t wait. Thinking for a time that there would be no Grace at the Race for Grace, I now have greater appreciation and renewal for her life and her journey. I am beginning to think that she may actually out-live me!!!
www.theraceforgrace.com has been updated and looks beautiful. Thank you Paul for all the hardwork. Please take a peek at it. It has everything you need to raise awareness and funds for the Race for Grace. I will be receiving a shipment of beautiful “God Bless Grace” pins for everyone to wear so I’ll let you know when they are in and feel free to stop by to grab some. All the sponsor forms and collection brochures arrived yesterday so I have plenty of those. If anyone would like a bunch, let me know. We only have a few weeks to really get people committed to coming to the event so please spread the word.
Dress down days at your local schools, banks and businesses are a great way to raise money and get people involved. Please let me know if you need any literature or anything from my end. Race for Grace will be a wonderful day to celebrate life and Grace.
Our pastor, Fr. Taillon at St. Thomas More (St. Veronica Chapel) had asked me (last year) to plan a rosary the evening of the Race for Grace 2009. It will be a luminary rosary with white bags all lit up with candles in the shape of…you guessed it…the Rosary! Fr. Taillon will lead this beautiful evening and we ask that you come and bring friends to share in a Rosary for Grace. Father ordered a bunch of rosaries, so even if you don’t know how to say the Rosary or you don’t have one, please join us. It will be a prayerful and peaceful way to end a day filled with grace.
God Bless Grace and YOU too!!
Peace,
Tara

Dear Friends of Grace,
Grace is doing her best to fight this great fight. She’s extremely wobbly on her feet, one of her ankles is caving in, her hands, arms, head are all tremoring and she looks a bit “Katherine Hepburn” these days. She’s tired. Her life is hard every minute.
Although her body lacks the ability to regulate things that we all do automatically without thought or effort like swallow, breath, sleep, walk, talk, etc., she does do one thing with perfection and independently and that is LOVE. She loves indiscriminately and without limits. To me, that is something we all fail at. Grace loves you no matter what size, smell, color, or disability you have (inside or out). She has mastered or actually was born with this ability that very few people in this world ever achieve.
Despite all the struggles of Grace, I had an amazing day today. I went to the Community College of RI in Warwick. As I was walking up the cold, shadowy entrance, I saw a beautiful set of eyes looking at me. It was Grace. Her photos were on display. There was a table with posters, handouts, Youtube slideshow playing on a laptop, and a passionate young lady there named Amanda with Steve (a wonderful Friend of Grace) rallying support for the Race for Grace and telling anyone who would stop at her display all about Grace and Rett Syndrome. I was blown away. I met one of Amanda’s professors who was on fire with energy for Grace and she told me she showed all her students the Youtube video in all her classes to raise awareness about Rett, Grace and the suffering in the world around them. She’s opening their eyes and teaching them so much more than French.
I met a young man, Jean, from Rwanda. He stopped to meet me. He had a light in his eyes as he listened to me talk about Grace and how she’s like an oyster, under attack, but she found the strength to fight back and form a pearl amidst the devastating assault on her body. I could tell he understood. We shook hands and he walked off with a smile. His teacher told me his story. He was 13 when without warning, his village was in the midst of the breakout of the Tutsi Genocide and his his parents were each from a different “side” and he lost his entire family in the devastating tragedy. He ended up leaving his village and dead family members, walking alone a distance from approximately RI to NY and somehow, miraculously, found safety. His journey was long, devastating, exhausting yet he endured. He has been forming a pearl ever since. He is not so unlike Grace…rising from the ashes of devastation and making something beautiful. I know I will see Jean again someday.
Most people in this world suffer from the yesterdays and the tomorrows. Many forms of mental illness would cease existing if those two crippling fears disappeared and people stopped looking into the past and fearing about the future. Grace and the incredible young man from Rwanda I met today live in the moments of today. They love with all their heart. They serve those around them. They teach lessons that no one else can teach. We need them. We need their experiences and their strength and their pain. We need to look at them and wonder, “Could I do that?” Every single human being on the planet will be attacked like an oyster someday. Some people will undergo several attacks. It’s up to us to whether we surrender, become crippled with fear, become angry, fight to survive or simply accept what we cannot change and decide to make a pearl. The attacks are a necessary part of life. Without them, we would be shallow, empty vessels.
I’m headed for bed and hoping Grace will sleep tonight but I couldn’t go to bed without sharing my day with you. I’m spending most of my life trying to fill my tank with the lessons of Grace and the lessons of the inspiring people I meet throughout my life with Grace. Every life counts and every suffering can bring strength.
Be strong. Be thankful and fill up with grace wherever and whenever you can.
Peace,
Tara

Hi again Friends of Grace,
Today was a pretty uneventful first day home after 10 days in the hospital. Seizures are hopefully going to continue to lay low. Grace seems content to be home, although she is very wobbly when she walks around. She’s tired and drowsy and looks like a little panda bear with dark circles under her eyes, but the beauty is still there, along with the quiet suffering.
It’s hard but I am trying to get back into Race for Grace fundraising gear. We don’t have a lot of time. I can’t help but be amused at the notion that Grace spent “10″ days…not 9 or 11, but 10 days in the hospital! I think she wanted to contribute to the 10 for 10 theme. I also think if we could think of contributing in terms of $1 for every day she spent in the hospital we could raise a quick and easy $10 from every person involved. Please continue to build the momentum of the Race for Grace 10 for 10 campaign. If you haven’t already, please forward the 10 for 10 request to as many friends and family as you can. Many people ask who to make checks payable to.
Donors can:
*donate online at www.TheRaceforGrace.com
*check out the Race for Grace Causes Facebook You have to join Facebook but it is simple and a great way to stay in touch with Race for Grace updates)
*send check to:
Race for Grace
34 Old Pine Road
Narragansett, RI 02882

Thank you again. God Bless GRACE!!!

RACE FOR GRACE 2009 ~ Saturday May 23 ~ 10 am ~ St. Veronica Chapel ~ 1035 Boston Neck Road ~ Narragansett, RI 02882 ~Registration starts at 8:30 am

Grace is home again which is quite a blessing. Especially when last week we really didn’t know if she would ever see home again. There is so much to do. We have to make our home safe for Grace, keep up with med management and keep in touch with her doctor and monitor her closely. Safety is the biggest issue because Grace is a drunken sailor right now. I pray that we will settle back into “normal” life (ha ha) and keep her sleeping and safe.
Thanks again for all your help and support. We really are continually overwhelmed by the love around us.
Peace,
Tara